Reviewer: Lori Graham
Title: Lady of the Knight
Author: Jackie Ivie
Publisher: Zebra
ISBN: 0-8217-7808-0
Release Date: November 2004
Genre/Sub-genre: Historical Romance
Year/Setting: 1310
Overall rating: 4.5
Sexual content rating: Sexual
Language (profanity) rating: Mild
Voilent content rating: Mild
Jackie's Website:
www.jackieivie.com
Morganna KilCreggar started off life with a happy, loving family. But at a very young age, things went very wrong. Her clan was wronged terribly and in the process of trying to correct that wrong, Morganna lost all of her clan, except her sister, through fighting with the FitzHugh clan. Neither Morganna nor her sister are ever the same again. While her sister retreats inside herself becoming a hag, a shrew and a prostitute, Morganna seeks vengeance. The best way to do that is by becoming adept at all weaponry but even more importantly to become Morgan.
Alexander FitzHugh (Zander) is injured in a minor skirmish to which he shouldn’t have really been a party to. However, when a lad starts to remove his property thinking he is dead, Zander wastes no time in correcting that thought. Since removing said property is against the laws of the land, Zander agrees to not give Morgan over to the law but Morgan will now become his new squire. Initially Morgan fights this punishment (to the point of a sore body and wrists which have been braided by the rope) but the day comes she discovers the full identity of her captor. Now she realizes this may play quite well into her plan for vengeance. Granted her vow isn’t against Zander but it is against his eldest brother and he has provided her with the means to get close to him.
The coming time frame to get in position, however, is proving difficult for both Morgan and Zander. Morgan/Morganna is discovering a side to Zander she never anticipated could be present in a FitzHugh. But even worse for poor Zander is admitting to himself that he is having feelings for a young LAD!
Jackie Ivie has quite the way of illustrating with her words the quandaries these two individuals find themselves in. Morgan is discovering the skill she developed with which to finish her vow is gaining notoriety. That popularity is gaining her access to many new doors and avenues but comes with its own noose – how can she leave the role she has created for herself. If men were to find out a woman bested them, her world would come to a screeching halt.
Lady of the Knight is an interesting play on many different human emotions. We see the greed, avaricious and downright maliciousness in Zander’s older brother – he practically sold his soul and pays for it mightily. We see despair in Elspeth (Morganna’s sister) who couldn’t deal with the loss of her family and especially her child. We see the strength in Morganna along with her cleverness and wit. I think though that the character I enjoyed the most was Zander.
At no point could the reader doubt his masculinity but even with that his care for the squire and then woman in his charge was strong. He truly put her needs over his own and was strong enough in himself to be honest with himself at all times – even when it wasn’t pleasant honesty. He brought grace to the story and then sealed himself in the heart of the reader with his compassion and support of the woman by his side (and even when she was his squire). I also have to say the whole emotional upheaval over the emotions towards the squire – well…I will let you enjoy that romp yourself.
Lori
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